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Youth will ‘Shine’ this summer at CAtholic YOuth CAmp

By KARA KOCZUR, Globe staff reporter
(Email Kara)

Although snow is far from being off the radar and the winter thaw is still weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about summer, sun and CAtholic YOuth CAmp.

Youth throughout the diocese in grades 3-8 are invited to “Shine” this summer at CAYOCA.

The theme, “Shine,” is based off of Matt. 5:16, “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly father.”

Three workshops will be presented at the camp: Let Your Light Shine, For All That They May See the Good You Do and Give Praise to the Father in Heaven.

“The workshops are interactive and allow students to take on various roles,” said Jenny Mohlmann, CAYOCA board member. “Each workshop focuses on a different aspect of our camp theme.”

Campers also have time for prayer every day. Not only are there morning prayer and nighttime devotions, but they attend daily Mass and have the opportunity for reconciliation. One of the evening sessions is dedicated to vocations and youth also take turns with Mass preparation.

“They’ll all get to be part of a group that does the planning and the carrying out of different parts of Mass that they can do,” said Father Terry Roder, who’s been helping with CAYOCA for about seven years and will do so again this summer.

At Mass preparation, campers also learn about the different parts of the liturgy so they better understand what they’re doing when they participate at Mass, Father Roder added.

Something new this year will be the addition of adoration to an evening session, said Judy Forrest, who works in the diocesan youth and young adult office. Not only is Eucharistic adoration one of Bishop Nickless’ five priorities for the diocese, but it may be a new experience for many of the youth.

“Some, I’m sure, don’t know what adoration is,” she said.

While CAYOCA boasts the typical camp activities such as swimming, canoeing, wall climbing, paddle-boating, crafts, campfires and more, Mohlmann, who’s been involved with CAYOCA for 12 years, said a big part of the camp experience is singing.

“Campers get to sing in the morning around flagpole, during morning praise, and at campfire,” she said. “Campfire is an opportunity for campers to praise God while singing songs with actions and then quieting their singing down to feel a sense of peace with sounds of nature around them.”

CAYOCA gives campers the opportunity to meet youth from across the diocese, which helps them grasp the great variety of the church, Father Roder said.

And it’s all done in a Christ-centered environment.

“They’re with people of their own age of different experiences and backgrounds that they get to know a better experience of the church throughout the diocese and they’re hearing of different things that are happening elsewhere,” he said.

Depending on a child’s background, Father Roder added, CAYOCA can be a great opportunity to explore various aspects of the church, as well as meet new kids, do classic camp activities and be away from home for a bit.

Campers don’t have to be from the Diocese of Sioux City to attend.

“If their cousin lives in Dubuque, they can come,” Forrest said.

At CAYOCA, youth are excited about their faith, Mohlmann said.

“Their enthusiasm is contagious and camp is also a learning experience for myself and other leaders,” she said. “Every year I have a positive experience, get to share my faith, and am able to be surrounded by others who are excited about God and their faith.”

The campers’ enthusiasm is a joy to be around and participate in, Father Roder said.  

“The kids who come are exposed to Christ in a way that fires them up,” he said. “It gets them a little more aware of what to ask for or what to look at when they go home to their families and home parishes, and they bring a little bit of the whole diocese home along with them to share with others.”

CAYOCA registration

Session dates:
Session 1: June 12-15; Grades 3-5
Session 2: June 16-19; Grades 6-8
Session 3: July 6-9; Grades 3-5

Registration:
CAYOCA registration can be done online by going to www.scdiocese.org. Click on “Register for CAYOCA.” Following registration, you will receive an e-mail including the liability waiver form, what to bring to camp, what to expect at camp and everything else your child will need to have a great CAYOCA experience. If you are unable to register online, paper registration forms can be downloaded from www.scdiocese.org under the “Ministries” link, or contact your parish office.

Cost:
Cost is $199 before Apr. 1 and $225 after that. Scholarships in memory of Father Tim Fitzgerald are available for those in financial need and can also be found under the “Ministries” tab on the diocesan Web site.

Volunteers:
The diocese is also looking for group leaders. Those interested should contact Judy Forrest at (712) 233-7520.